The situation: A student on a study (X) visa takes a full-time restaurant job without informing his university or obtaining any permission.
Applicable law: A study visa allows studying; off-campus work or study-related internship requires the university's approval and an endorsement on the residence document by the competent authority (a part-time work/internship permit), within set hours and conditions. Full-time work without permission exceeds the residence scope and is 'illegal employment,' penalized by fines and possibly affecting continued study and residence.
Outcome: The student was fined and warned and nearly lost his student status, whereas obtaining the proper part-time permit would have avoided all of it.
🛂 Residence & visas · Awareness case
A Foreign Student Working — Within Limits and With Permission · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: 出境入境管理法 / Exit and Entry Administration Law
Can a foreign student work full-time off campus?
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Lesson: A student may work part-time with permission and within hours, not full-time in secret. Check with the international students' office before any job.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026